RESEARCH STUDY POLL: Conducted Oct.-Nov. 2009
© Copyright 2009 | Concierge Medicine Today |
| November 17, 2009 |

Related Articles:

• The Difference Between Concierge Medicine
  and Direct Primary Care

Poll Summary:

• The majority of respondents (I.e. traditional PCPs; concierge PCPs; office managers; media executives; specialty physicians; health care consultants; traditional family practice doctors; concierge family physicians; national associations; etc.), agree that the term they prefer most to describe retainer-based/boutique/direct care practices is in fact, 'Concierge Medicine.'

Brand Awareness
& Understanding All of the
Terminology Used To Describe
Concierge Medicine

By By Michael Taytro | Editor-In-Chief
| Concierge Medicine Today | November 13, 2009 |

Concierge medicine (also known as "Direct Care" or sometimes thought of and termed "Direct Primary Care") is a term used to describe a relationship with a primary care physician in which the patient pays an annual fee or retainer. In exchange for the fee, doctors provide care.

Concierge medicine has had somewhat of a "brand/identity" issue in the media and health care marketplace. It's also referred to as: membership medicine; boutique medicine; retainer-based medicine; concierge health care; cash only practice; direct care; direct primary care and direct practice medicine. While all concierge medicine practices share similarities, they vary widely in their structure, payment requirements, and form of operation. In particular, they differ in the level of service provided and the amount of the fee charged. There are an estimated 5,000 concierge, or membership medicine doctors throughout the U.S., according to SIMPD. However, there is only one organization tracking the specific number of concierge/direct primary care practices in the U.S. today, Concierge Medicine Today, an online news agency dedicated to educating traditional practice physicians and patients about the cost effectiveness and value these types of practices can provide to both physicians and patients.

This term also refers to those primary care and family practice physicians who have chosen to provide healthcare services in a more convenient, accessible and cost efficient manner to their patients. These physicians charge patients a membership fee ranging from $600 to $1,800/year and higher. In exchange for this fee, concierge practices generally include 24/7 access to a personal physicians' cell phone, same-day appointments with no waiting, personal coordination of care with specialists, personal follow up when admitted to a hospital or ER, house calls, and more.

While a typical physician can carry a patient load of 2,500+ patients, a concierge physician generally limits their practice to between 300-600 patients or more. It has also been referred to as: membership medicine; boutique medicine; retainer-based medicine; concierge health care; cash only practice; direct care; and direct practice medicine. While all concierge medicine practices share similarities, they vary widely in their structure, payment requirements, and form of operation. In particular, they differ in the level of service provided and the amount of the fee charged. There are an estimated 5,000* doctors throughout the U.S., practicing this type of healthcare delivery model. *Source: SIMPD

There is now an online news resource geared specifically towards concierge physicians, primary care and family physicians, patients, and legislators. ConciergeMedicineToday.com is the only news and information organization dedicated solely to the distribution of news and information related to all aspects of concierge medicine. Links to articles shaping the nation's view of this movement and connections to dozens of the most popular healthcare blogs discussing concierge medicine and its potential to rescue primary care are also included.

Summary of Poll Conducted
CONCIERGE MEDICINE TODAY POLL
Conducted Oct.-Nov. 2009
| © Copyright 2009 | November 17, 2009 |

The majority of respondents (I.e. traditional PCPs; concierge PCPs; office managers; media executives; specialty physicians; health care consultants; traditional family practice doctors; concierge family physicians; national associations; etc.), agree that the term they prefer most to describe retainer-based/boutique/direct care practices is in fact, 'Concierge Medicine.'

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Which term would you prefer the media use to describe 'concierge medicine'?

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